Local WWII veteran entered into Ohio Military Hall of Fame

BOURNEVILLE - A local World War II veteran posthumously entered Ohio's Military Hall of Fame for Valor Friday.

Clayton H. Compher, of Bourneville, was in his early 20s when he was shipped off willingly to fight in the second world war. Within a year of his enlistment, he saw his first battle fighting alongside the men of the U.S. Army's 12th Armored Division in France. For his actions, he was later awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

According to Compher's award certificate, he received the medal for his "heroic achievement on 5 April 1945 at Erbach, Germany." The document detailed how his squad had been pinned down, while Compher, a Private First Class, "exposed himself to this fire in order to distract the enemy's attention and to cover the squad's withdrawal."

For Compher's son, Steve Compher, the emotions that come with the hall of fame induction are overwhelming.

"I knew the story about his awards and the family knew about it and I think to have it recognized is just great," he said. "I think everybody was just thrilled about it. The family knew about his award and you know it was obviously well deserved, so I think everybody was just thrilled."

Compher's family attended Friday's ceremony in his honor at the Atrium of the Ohio State House in Columbus.

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